Hyundai has registered double-digit percentage increases in sales during the first five months of 2004 across Europe.

Led by strong sales of the recently launched Trajet and new Getz turbo diesel, the cumulative sales for the January till May period this year reached 144,735 units, a year-on-year improvement of slightly more than 21%. In May it sold 28,838 units.

Hyundai's 6-Sigma Quality Programme has achieved a milestone when finishing in a tie for second place in the most recent J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS).

"We will firmly move towards our set goal of becoming one of the top 5 automobile brands by 2010", says Kwang Heum Um, president of Hyundai Motor Europe.

At the end of this month, Hyundai could bolster its position as the third largest non-European importer with a market share in Europe averaged out at 2%, up by 0.2%.